Wimbledon

Wimbledon payout hike targets lower-ranked players

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- The All England Club has increased the prize money at this year's Wimbledon tennis championship by 10 percent, with a majority of the cash directed to help lower-ranked players.

Although the men's and women's singles champions will each receive a record $1.85 million, most of the $2.4 million increase to the overall pot will go to players who lose in qualifying or the early rounds.

All England Club Chairman Philip Brook says "we appreciate the need to help players meet the rising costs associated with professional tennis.''

Those losing before the fourth round of the singles' competitions will receive an increase of at least 13 percent.